Ion Beam Applications : First patient treated in The Netherlands at the UMC Groningen Proton Therapy Center

Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, 24 January 2018 - IBA (Ion Beam Applications SA), the world's leading provider of proton therapy solutions for the treatment of cancer, is pleased to announce that the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) Proton Therapy Center treated the first patient on its IBA Proteus®PLUS on Monday January 22, 2018. UMCG successfully treated the first patient within 13 months of installation of its Proteus®PLUS by IBA. This is the first patient to receive proton beam therapy in The Netherlands.

The Proteus®PLUS at UMCG is configured with two gantry treatment rooms equipped with IBA's pencil beam scanning (PBS) and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) large field of view image guidance. These technologies improve the precision of treatment and enable adaptive treatment. The center also benefits from the most advanced room matching available, enabling maximum flexibility of room scheduling and allowing for a minimum 30% reduction in commissioning time therefore giving maximum flexibility for patient treatment. Rooms are also supplied with IBA's wireless hand pendant, the only wireless patient remote control in the radiation therapy industry as well as a new generation, high accuracy and precision Patient Positioning System.

The UMCG Proton Therapy Center is the first of three centers planned to treat patients in The Netherlands.

Olivier Legrain, Chief Executive Officer at IBA,commented: 'We are delighted that the first patient treatment was delivered successfully. As a result of the fast installation time, patients are already benefitting from the most advanced cancer treatment technology in The Netherlands. The installation time is even more remarkable due to the suite of advanced technologies used at this site. It reinforces IBA's position as the fastest proton therapy provider from contract signature to treatment of patients.'

Prof. dr. J.A. Hans Langendijk, Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology at UMCG Proton Therapy Center, added: 'In 2009, a team of experts in The Netherlands evaluated the benefits of proton therapy and how to select the patients appropriately. They estimated that over 5800 patients annually could benefit from this cutting-edge cancer treatment in The Netherlands. Three centers are currently being built across the country and we are proud that the UMCG is now the first to deliver proton therapy treatment to patients. IBA has one of the most advanced proton therapy technology on the market and has demonstrated its market-leading speed by delivering a state-of-art proton therapy facility within this timeframe.

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About Proteus®PLUS
Proteus®PLUS is a unique proton therapy solution for leading cancer centers striving to meet the treatment needs of a large and growing patient base, while further advancing their clinical reputation in cancer care, regionally and nationally.
Inspired by clinical excellence, its cutting-edge features can be configured into a tailored solution to meet research, clinical and business objectives.

About IBA
IBA (Ion Beam Applications S.A.) is a global medical technology company focused on bringing integrated and innovative solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The company is the worldwide technology leader in the field of proton therapy, considered to be the most advanced form of radiation therapy available today. IBA's proton therapy solutions are flexible and adaptable, allowing customers to choose from universal full-scale proton therapy centers as well as compact, single room solutions. In addition, IBA also has a radiation dosimetry business and develops particle accelerators for the medical world and industry. Headquartered in Belgium and employing about 1,500 people worldwide, IBA has installed systems across the world.

IBA is listed on the pan-European stock exchange NYSE EURONEXT (IBA: Reuters IBAB.BR and Bloomberg IBAB.BB). More information can be found at: www.iba-worldwide.com

* Proteus®PLUS is the brand name of Proteus®235.

About UMCG

University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) is one of the largest hospitals in the Netherlands and it is the biggest employer in the north of the country. A staff of almost 12,000 people work in patient care and in leading medical research, focusing on 'healthy ageing ́. For its research and educational function the hospital has close ties with University of Groningen. Some 3,400 students are currently enrolled in degree courses to become physicians, dentist, or movement scientist, and over 450 are doing a medical residency. Patients come to UMCG for basic care, but also for highly specialized diagnostics, examinations or treatment. All patients in the north of the country with complicated or rare conditions are eventually referred to UMCG. Excellent care is always based on the latest insights and given by the best doctors and nursing staff. Together with the support services they always focus on that one common goal: building the future of health. For more information visit: www.umcg.nl

For further information, please contact:
IBA
Daniel Ernult
Corporate communication & Proton Therapy Marketing Associate
Tel +32 10 201 287
communication@iba-group.com